The serial position function for lists learned by a narrative-story mnemonic

Encoding strategy changes and spacing effects in the free recall of unmixed lists

“…If the magnitude of the primacy effect could be reduced somehow, then perhaps larger overall spacing effects would emerge. One possible way to alter serial position functions is to alter participantsÕ encoding strategies (e.g., Herrmann, Geisler, & Atkinson, 1973)-something we suggested may happen without intervention anyway as people become more experienced at studying. If strategy change affects the primacy effect, perhaps it can also reduce or eliminate the inverse spacing effect in the primacy region, and enhance overall spacing effects.…”

Mnemonics: Underlying Processes and Practical Applications

“…Early empirical research investigating the linkingby-story mnemonic demonstrated the method to be effective for enhancing both serial and free recall (Herrmann et al, 1973) of verbal material in college-age adults. Subsequent research has found the method to be useful for improving recall in elderly participants (Hill et al, 1991;Drevenstedt and Bellezza, 1993), memory-impaired participants (Wilson, 1995), and mildly retarded participants (Glidden, 1983).…”

A Brief Primer on Learning and Memory-Based Strategies to Enhance Memory Function

“…Relatedly, the acronym method [21] involves linking words by the initial letter (e.g., the acronym IPMAT could be used to remember the following biological phases: interphase, prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase). The linking by story method [22] involves creating a story that incorporates each item.…”